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The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur

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The Spa at Mandarin Oriental, Kuala Lumpur sits on the third floor of the luxury hotel, with luxurious spa facilities and a wellness center. It’s an expansive space complemented by a soothing flute score, mood lighting and floral scents. Even if it’s smack-dab in the middle of Malaysia’s capitol city surrounded by towering skyscrapers, the spa tries its best to make you forget the bustle outside.

After recent renovations, the spa now has six treatment rooms with heat and water facilities, a manicure and pedicure room, steam and sauna rooms, and a relaxation lounge with hot and cold whirlpools.

You can also get your hair primped at the in-house salon, which has serviced a generous share of local celebrities and socialites.

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Our Inspector's Highlights

Instead of focusing on just one element, The Spa adopts traditions from Malaysia, China, Thailand and Europe for a broad range of treatments and therapies.

You can purchase bespoke spa products such as pure paraben-free essential oils from London-based skincare brand Aromatherapy Associates in the spa boutique.

Next to the Kuala Lumpur spa is a Mind & Body Studio, where you can sweat it out to fun workout programs like yoga and zumba. Private classes can be arranged, as can group sessions if you’re traveling with family or friends.

The Mandarin Oriental Signature Spa Therapies is the most-booked treatment. For just under two hours, submit to an elaborate body massage ritual developed in consultation with specialists in traditional Chinese medicine and expert aromatherapists — each session begins with a private consult before you’re whisked away into oblivion.

The fitness center is about as pretty as a workout facility can get, with floor-to-ceiling windows, wood floors and white walls with carved wood partitions.

Things to Know

Arrive an hour before your treatment to use the steam and sauna rooms or take a dip in the hot and cold whirlpools. You can also choose to wait in the relaxation lounge alongside a range of magazines, tea, fruit and juices.

Late arrivals do not get extended treatments, so play it safe by avoiding peak-hour traffic. Hop on the LRT rail service and alight at Suria KLCC station, only a few minutes’ walk from the hotel.

Gift certificates can be purchased, ideal for birthdays, anniversaries, or any excuse of a good spoiling.

The Treatments

The Digital Wellness Retreat is a unique option. You’re asked to surrender your phone upon arrival and a therapist will iron out kinks in the head, neck and shoulder areas before you’re brought to a relaxation room for a bit of journaling, note card writing or coloring.

The Tropical Rainforest treatment embodies healing traditions from the wilds of Malaysia, including Borneo. The 140-minute therapy uses aromatic oils made with Malaysia-grown herbs and spices, and includes a foot ritual and personalized massage.

Pregnant women can consult therapists for customized treatments that focus on tension in the upper back and shoulders.

Emphasis is also given to men — they can opt for a facial, the Deep Sleep therapy to help with sleep difficulties, a Red Eye treatment to ease those jetlagged limbs and a VIP retreat with the works (exfoliation, wrap, body and scalp massage).

The Facilities

There are six treatment rooms and one couple’s room, all of which are stocked with freshly laundered towels and carry an intoxicating scent of essential oils.

Despite the presence of many luxury spas in Kuala Lumpur, only a few have massage beds that cater to tall customers. At the Mandarin Oriental’s spa, you don’t have to worry about your legs hanging over the ends of the bed.

One of the best things about the luxury spa is its post-treatment primping room where hair dryers, large mirrors and changing areas are available to fix a post-treatment tousle.